Garden weddings are done in a beautiful settings with flowers and natural landscaping, it’s the perfect background for all of your wedding day photography.
If you have a friend or family member with a beautiful backyard then you are all set, if not I a have found a few places where a garden ceremony or reception can be held.
There are many recreation and park authorities that have space available for garden weddings as well as outdoor wedding receptions at their parks.
Helen Cuddy Rose Garden
The Helen Cuddy Rose Garden is a part of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District in Johnson County, Kansas. This rose garden has beautiful perennials, a fountain and a gazebo.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna
The Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia is a part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Their beautiful botanical gardens have a gazebo that is perfect for garden weddings. There are indoor and outdoor fountains as well as an indoor stream in the Atrium with surrounding views of the gardens.
Seattle Parks and Recreation
The Seattle Parks and Recreation has over 400 parks in Seattle, Washington that will allow you to have a wedding ceremony.
The Discovery Park has views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The Kubota Garden is a Japanese garden with ponds, waterfalls and bridges.
Some of Seattle’s parks allow tent set up for a fee if you would like to have an outdoor wedding reception. They also have several indoor facilities for rental.
For most parks in the United States you must get a permit to use the parks for a wedding ceremony and/or reception.
There may also be some fees for things like ceremony time, set up and bringing in caterers.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Arboretums are beautiful settings for garden weddings. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at the University of Minnesota in Chaska, Minnesota has several different outdoor gardens including areas with waterfalls as well as a Japanese garden. They also have indoor spaces and on-site catering.
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California has rose gardens and fountains.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The Dallas Arboretum in Dallas, Texas has an outdoor setting with stone staircases and topiaries. Their indoor venue has floor to ceiling windows with views of the Dallas city skyline.
The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio
The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio is a beautiful and rustic setting with bridges, ponds and even a red barn.
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
If you are looking for affordability the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts actually allows the public to use the grounds of the Arboretum for photography and small weddings for free (donations are appreciated).
If cool weather or rain is a concern for you then a botanic garden with an atrium might be just what you are looking for.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina has some absolutely gorgeous ceremony and reception venues.
You could exchange your vows in the White Garden and then take bridal photos in the Four Seasons Garden while your guests enjoy cocktail hour on a Garden Terrace followed by dinner in The Great Hall.
The Atrium at Western Garden
The Atrium at Western Gardens in Sandy, Utah allows you to have a garden wedding in an indoor setting at very affordable prices.
Atrium of The Gaylord Hotel
Beautiful and awe inspiring indoor atriums with views of water and gardens for weddings can be found at the four Gaylord Hotels.
The four resorts include The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas; the Gaylord National at the National Harbor in Maryland; the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee and the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida.
Things to Consider
Although an outdoor setting might be just what you have been wanting for your wedding day there are some things that you might have to think about that may not be an issue for most indoor ceremonies and receptions.
- Will you need to provide shade from the sun?
- How will you keep guests comfortable if it is hot outside?
- Do their indoor locations have air conditioning?
- Are there bugs that could bother your guests (bees, ants, mosquitoes, ticks)?
- Do you need a tent in case it rains?
- If there is a downpour will there be mud?
- Is there an alternate indoor location that you will still be happy with?
- If it is cool outside will you need a heat source?
- If you have an outdoor wedding reception, is there a fee for tent set up?
- Are there kitchen facilities nearby for proper food preparation?
- Are outdoor lighting and generators provided?
- Is clean up provided or is that the responsibility of the bride and groom?
- Is alcohol and/or smoking allowed on the premises?
- Will you have exclusive use of facilities or will there other people in the location?
I know . . . that’s a lot to think about but this is your wedding day so you will want to have all of your bases covered.
There are so many more places available so take your time and search for the perfect place.
